Medical actions of herbs and herbal medicines

Understanding the way plants interact with the body, there uses and traditional terms A-Z. Lets get started with the quick reference terms:

Alterative - Producing a healthful change without perception.

Anodyne - Relieves pain.

Anthelmintic - A medicine that expels worms.

Aperient - Gently laxative without purging.

Aromatic - A stimulant, spicy.

Astringent - Causes contraction and arrests discharges.

Antibilious - Acts on the bile relieving biliousness.

Antiemetic - Stops vomiting.

Antileptic - Relives fits.

Antiperiodic Arrest morbid periodic movements.

Anthilic - Prevents the formation of stones in the urinary organs.

Antirheumatic - Relieves or cures rheumatism.

Antiscorbutic - cures or prevents scurvy.

Antiseptic - A medicine that aims at stopping putrification.

Antispasmodic - Relieves or prevents spasms.

Antisyphilitic - Having affect or curing venereal diseases.

Carminative - Expels wind from the bowels.

Carthatic - Evacuating from the bowels.

Cephalic - Remedies used in diseases of the head.

Cholagogue - Increases the flow of bile.

Condiment - Improves the flavor of foods.

Demulcent - soothing, relieves inflammation.

Depurative - Purifies the blood.

Detergent - Cleansing to boils, ulcers and wounds, etc.

Diaphoretic - Produces perspiration.

Discutient - Dissolves and heals tumours.

Diuretic - Increases the secretion and flow of urine.

Emetic - Produces vomiting.

Emmenagogue - promotes menstruation.

Emollient - softens and soothes inflamed parts.

Esculent - Eatable as a food.

Exanthematous - Remedy for skin eruptions and diseases.

Expectorant - Facilitates expectoration.

Febrifuge - Abates and reduces fevers.

Hepatic - A remedy for diseases of the liver.

Herpatic - A remedy for skin diseases of all types.

Laxative - Promotes bowel action.

Lithontryptic - Dissolves calculi in the urinary organs.

Maturating - Ripens or brings boils to a head.

Mucilginous - Soothing to all inflammation.

Nauseant - Produces vomiting.

Nervine - Acts specifically on the nervous system, stops nervous excitement.

Opthalmicum - A remedy for eye diseases.

Parturient - induces and promotes labor at child birth.

Pectoral - A remedy for chest affections.

Refrigerant - Promotes cooling.

Resolvent - Dissolves boils and tumors.

Rubifacient - Increases circulation and produces red skin.

Sedative - A nerve tonic, promotes sleep.

Sialogogue - increases the secretion of saliva.

Stomachic - Strengthens the stomach. Relieves indigestion.

Styptic - Arrest bleeding.

Sudorific - Arrests bleeding.

Tonic - A remedy which is invigorating and strengthening.

Vermifuge - Expels worms from the system.